FROM: THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY
PROJECT
TO:
ALL NEW TALENT
RE: Actors need to educate themselves and gain awareness of
the
many companies and individuals running talent search,
talent development and talent consulting scams. These
companies are designed and set up for one purpose: to
exploit and financially victimize those who are just
starting
out and unfamiliar
with how the entertainment industry
really operates when it comes to procuring new talent.
READ THIS INFORMATIVE REPORT TO LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM TALENT SCAMS:
At this time, and in many cities across the United States, there are a plethora of Companies,
Organizations and Individuals setting up businesses in your area for the sole purpose of exploiting a beginning actor's lack
of knowledge about how the entertainment industry actually works in relation to procuring new talent and finding work.
Please be advised that - without going into the specific names of these companies - these businesses run the gamut: from offering
poorly taught classes by inexperienced teachers - to outright SCAMS and FRAUDULENT OPERATIONS.
All
of these companies have one thing in common: they operate entirely outside scope and regulation of the mainstream entertainment
industry. These type of companies and organizations are not sanctioned, condoned, or policed in any manner by the professional
members of the entertainment industry! Professional members of the entertainment community go out of their way to disassociate
themselves from these type of operations. They do not want their good names and reputations tainted or tarnished by
association with these type of businesses or activities.
It should be noted that the businesses and organizations
that engage these type of deceptive and predatory practices are "experts" at presenting themselves as legitimate
and bone-fide Talent Search Companies, Acting Schools, Modeling Schools, Talent Scouts and/or Talent Consultants. They
employ highly sophisticated radio, TV and print ads to lure new and unsuspecting talent to their places of business. However,
these companies exist only to exploit YOU for financial gain. They do this by exploiting all new talent's intense desire
to break into the industry and his or her lack of knowledge about how the industry really operates when it comes to the discovery
of new talent. These companies invariably make extraordinary PROMISES of "introductions" to talent agents,
talent managers and casting directors. Many of these companies promise actors "shortcuts" into the industry
and "rewards" of film or stage work. Some companies promise that you'll be the next Lindsey Lohan, Angelina
Jolie or Brad Pitt. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESE ARE ALL LIES AND SALES TACTICS DESIGNED
TO GET YOU TO SIGN A LONG-TERM CONTRACT FOR CLASSES AND HAND OVER SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY. We know you
are in a hurry to get where you want to go - but...actors, do not toss away or ignore your intuitions and common sense.
The "REAL" entertainment industry, and the legitimate businesses and individuals associated with it, will
NEVER "PROMISE" an actor - or anyone else for that matter - ANYTHING. After an actor's initial training
period, finding a path into the legitimate part of the entertainment industry is a task each and every actor faces alone.
Any company or any individual offering to help you or assist you in any way - FOR A FEE - IS NOT LEGITIMATE!!!
THIS MAY SEEM DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE, BUT THIS IS HOW THE LEGITIMATE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY ACTUALLY
WORKS:
An actor gets his or her initial training. When the actor completes his or her initial
training and is confident in his or her level of ability and skill - the actor has his or her first photo session and walks
away with his or her first industry headshot. The actor uses this headshot as an initial "calling card" to the industry
in an attempt to interest agents, managers in representation - and to give to casting directors, producers and directors in
an initial attempt to get professional work.
The only thing actors are REQUIRED TO PAY FOR is their acting classes
and training, textbooks and other materials related to their education as an actor - and their photographic needs (a photo
session, a master headshot and duplicates made from that master photo to distribute to the industry). The
Entertainment Industry DOES NOT CHARGE FEES to meet agents, managers or casting directors. The industry DOES NOT CHARGE
FEES to sign with a legitimate agent or manager. The industry DOES NOT CHARGE FEES for access to auditions or interviews
for legitimate industry acting work. The ONLY TIME an actor pays an agent or manager is from INCOME
EARNED as a direct result of ACTUAL ACTING WORK. A fee (of 10% of the gross amount earned), called a commission, is paid to
the agent. A commission is also paid to the manager - if an actor has a manager (generally 15% - sometimes more depending
on the arrangement the actor has with the manager).
If you - as an actor - encounter anything other than the above
description as to how the industry works - don't walk...RUN... from the organization company or individual as fast as you
can. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER or YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS. You can use the money you just saved to live
and exist on while you learn to do the right things and break into the "real" industry the right way.
The worst feeling in the world is to be deceived and to be taken advantage of financially. Not only is money
lost on a worthless enterprise - but weeks, months and sometimes even years are wasted. Actors are forced to regroup
financially and start over. This scenario has happened to thousands of unsuspecting and naive actors early in their
careers. In every case of this type of exploitation - new talent does not discover that they have been "played"
until they reach the end of the course that they signed up for. The promises made by the company do not materialize.
The money paid is gone. That horrible moment of truth as to what just happened can be deferred weeks or sometimes months
later when the classes end. By then, it is too late. The companies have shuttered their doors and moved on.
The more brazen companies keep operating until customer/consumer complaints mount and are posted on the internet for all to
see by angry victims - or are made in formal complaints to the city, your local law enforcement officials, and/or the Better
Business Bureau. These companies are eventually forced to shut down their operations in a particular city. Generally,
the company then moves on to establish operations in the next unsuspecting city. The doors re-open and the next group
of parents - and their children or teen - are lured in with print, television and/or radio ads to be the next "Star".
ACTORS - DO YOUR HOMEWORK: PLEASE CHECK
WITH LOCAL CITY AND/OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS FOR COMPLAINTS BEFORE ASSOCIATING YOURSELF WITH ANY TYPE OF TALENT SEARCH
OPERATION OR ACTING SCHOOLS THAT OFFER EXPENSIVE CLASSES AND/OR A FAST-TRACK TO STARDOM.
AT THE VERY MINIMUM - DO A "GOOGLE" SEARCH ON THE PERSON, SCHOOL,
COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION YOUR ARE CONSIDERING BECOMING INVOLVED WITH. TYPE THE NAME INTO THE GOOGLE BOX - ADD A HYPHEN
- THEN ADD THE WORD "COMPLAINT. YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED WHAT INFORMATION COMES UP!
There
are other schemes involving the setting up of legitimate, but not inexpensive ACTING SCHOOLS. Sometimes these schools
make the same promises as outlined above. Almost all of these type of schools exist solely to financially exploit actors
by charging excessive tuitions or fees. These schools are set up by individuals who may have worked briefly in the industry
- or who may never have worked in the industry at all. All actors need to exercise extreme caution and take responsibility
by investigating the schools online. Also, check with city and or local law enforcement agencies - and/or the Better
Business Bureau for prior complaints. Be sure to investigate the school thoroughly BEFORE paying any deposit, fee or
tuition for classes. Know what you are getting involved in!
It should be pointed out that some of these larger
acting schools are FRANCHISES and are part of a larger parent organizations. Here's how that works: an individual -
you...me...anyone... pays the organization a franchise fee for the use of their established company name and for some shared
cost advertising. That person is now in business and the proud owner and operator an acting school. That person is not
required to have any ability, skills or knowledge of acting or the entertainment industry. That person may have been
Joe the plumber the day before! Invariably the classes at these type of acting-mills are taught in over-crowded classrooms
by teachers with little actual industry or teaching experience - or teaching credentials. Is this really where you want to
go to learn acting?
NEVER attend an acting school or a class that won't let you audit to see how the teacher
works with his or her students and his or her level of ability and skills as a teacher. Some classes are taught by very
frustrated, irritable and disgruntled former actors. This does not make for a good classroom experience Classes
should not be over-crowded. Acting in class is not about sitting in a chair and watching. Acting is about getting up
each and every week and doing scenes or exercise work.
DON'T BECOME A VICTIM! After
an actor's initial training period - but prior to entering the industry - every new actor owes it to him or herself educate
him or herself about the business aspects of the industry. Until an actor has been around the business a few years -
an actor must be very wary of the companies, organizations and individuals that exist to separate him or her from their hard
earned dollars. After, or during, an actor's initial training period an actor must make every attempt to quickly learn
everything about the business side of the industry. The more an actor knows, the less likely he or she will be scammed or
exploited by the sharks swimming around the periphery of the industry.
SOME RULES TO FOLLOW
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE COMPANY, ORGANIZATION, OR INDIVIDUAL YOU HAVE BEEN SOLICITED BY:
COMPANY or ORGANIZATION - Check the Internet for Complaints.
Call Local City or Law Enforcement Agencies as well as the Better Business Bureau regarding complaints. There are almost always
complaints about these type of companies and operations ripping people off or giving people nothing for the money they took.
AGENT or MANAGER - Again... check the Internet for Complaints.
Call Local City or Law Enforcement Agencies as well as the Better Business Bureau regarding complaints. How long has
the agency or manager been in operation? If they just opened their door or charge a fee to represent you or to send
you out on auditions - move on!
SEMINARS or WORKSHOPS - If these
are taught by legitimate actors, agents, managers, or casting directors -
check them out on the internet - GO TO: www.IMDb.com
Every actor, agent, manager - in fact everyone who has worked IN the mainstream industry has their credits listed on
IMDb.com. NOT LISTED? Be suspicious or dubious of all claims and credits made by that person. There are
many IMPOSTORS - individuals posing as legitimate agents, managers or casting directors. Many of these individuals are not
what they seem to be or who they say they are. Many of these individuals have never worked a day in the industry.
Some of these "self-appointed experts" were merely ASSISTANTS to or the SECRETARIES of legitimate agents, managers
or casting directors. These individuals overstate their importance, their reputations - and their industry credits or
associations. BEWARE!
ACTING SCHOOLS - Unless you are going
to an acting school in New York or Los Angeles - or are attending the theater arts or cinema department of a prestigious university
- most acting school charge realistic and moderate fees to attend classes. All legitimate private acting schools allow
free audits of classes and teachers before paying to attend. Again - check for over-crowded classrooms. Make sure
that "Hitler-incarnate" is not teaching the class! Ask to see teaching credentials and/or a resume of the
teacher conducting the class or classes. The more experience and background the teacher possesses the more rewarding, enriching
and invaluable the class will be for the student actor. If the person teaching the class has little actual industry
experience, or real industry credits - what information and skills can they possible impart to you?
NO
PROMISES - If any organization, company or acting school promises you an agent, a manager or acting work -
based on signing a contract and paying a fee for the company's classes and incredible career launching services - head promptly
for the door (and check to make sure you still have your wallet or purse).. Legitimate schools NEVER PROMISE students anything
besides the very best in classes taught by the very best teachers.
NO FEES -
Paying a modest fee or tuition to attend a legitimate acting class is fine. DO NOT PAY A FEE to obtain representation
by an agent or manager. DO NOT PAY A FEE to anyone calling themselves a Talent Consultant (there is no such position
in the entertainment industry). NEVER PAY A FEE for a acting job. Beware of anyone requesting an ADVANCE-FEE for
any kind of Talent Services.
PART OF WHAT THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY PROJECT IS ATTEMPTING TO ACCOMPLISH
IS EDUCATING NEW AND INEXPERIENCED ACTORS - AND THE INTERESTED PUBLIC - ABOUT THE ACTUAL METHODS, PROCESSES AND PROTOCOLS
- OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE BUSINESS - OR NON-PERFORMANCE - ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY.
ALL OF THE INFORMATION PRESENTED
ABOVE - AND MORE - IS INCLUDED IN "THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY" EIGHT VOLUME DVD SET IN THE SEGMENT TITLED: "EXPLOITATION,
GRAY AREAS & SCAMS!"
IF YOU STILL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE INFORMATION ABOVE - PLEASE DON'T
HESITATE TO CONTACT THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY PROJECT WITH YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE YOU - AND HOPEFULLY,
TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE MANY SCAMS, SCHEMES AND GRAY AREAS AS OUTLINED ABOVE.
THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY PROJECT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ACTORS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELS
OF ABILITY CREDIBLE AND USEFUL INFORMATION THAT IS FROM THE HIGHEST SOURCES OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.
STILL NOT SURE WHAT AN ACTING SCAM IS?
We will be happy to answer any and all questions you many have.
Please send us an E-Mail by CLICKING on the LINK immediately below:
info@theactorsjourney.com
